Genesis 24:10

KJV

¶ And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master [were] in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the servant {H5650} took {H3947} ten {H6235} camels {H1581} of the camels {H1581} of his master {H113}, and departed {H3212}; for all the goods {H2898} of his master {H113} were in his hand {H3027}: and he arose {H6965}, and went {H3212} to Mesopotamia {H763}, unto the city {H5892} of Nahor {H5152}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and all kinds of gifts from his master, got up and went to Aram-Naharayim, to Nachor's city.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim.

American Standard Version

And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and departed, having all goodly things of his master’s in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 24:10 marks the crucial initiation of Abraham's servant's journey, a divinely appointed mission to secure a wife for Isaac. This verse details the practical preparations for the extensive expedition, including the allocation of ten camels and the full authority over Abraham's considerable wealth, as the servant sets forth from Canaan towards Mesopotamia, specifically to Nahor's city, Abraham's ancestral home. This departure signifies the commencement of a pivotal undertaking for the continuation of God's covenant promises through Isaac's lineage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 24 stands as a narrative masterpiece, focusing intently on the singular, divinely guided quest to find a suitable wife for Isaac. Preceding [Genesis 24:10](/genesis/24-10 "The Servant's Departure"), Abraham, now old and "blessed in all things" ([Genesis 24:1](/genesis/24-1 "Abraham's Blessings")), takes proactive steps to ensure the continuity of his lineage and the covenant promises. He binds his most trusted servant with a solemn oath, explicitly forbidding Isaac from marrying a Canaanite woman and directing him to return to Abraham's homeland to find a bride from his own kindred ([Genesis 24:2-4](/genesis/24-2-4 "Abraham's Oath and Instructions")). This oath underscores the theological gravity of the mission, setting the stage for the servant's meticulous preparations and subsequent journey detailed in this verse. The narrative then meticulously follows the servant's journey, his prayer, the providential encounter with Rebekah, and the successful return, culminating in Isaac's marriage.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of arranged marriages, often involving extensive negotiations and the exchange of gifts (mohar), was a deeply ingrained cultural norm in the ancient Near East, particularly among nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples like Abraham's clan. Marriage within one's extended family or tribe was highly preferred to maintain social cohesion, preserve property, and ensure the continuation of cultural and religious traditions. The prohibition against marrying Canaanites was not merely a cultural preference but a theological imperative, rooted in God's command to maintain the purity of the covenant people and avoid the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations. The journey itself, from Canaan to Mesopotamia (Aram Naharaim), was a significant undertaking, requiring substantial resources like camels, which were vital for long-distance travel across arid regions, capable of carrying heavy loads and sustaining journeys with limited water sources. The mention of "the city of Nahor" (Haran) pinpoints the specific ancestral region, highlighting the importance of familial ties in this cultural landscape.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 24, initiated by the servant's departure in [Genesis 24:10](/genesis/24-10 "The Servant's Journey"), powerfully illustrates several key themes. **Divine Providence** is paramount, as God actively orchestrates events to fulfill His promises, guiding the servant's steps and ensuring the right outcome ([Genesis 24:27](/genesis/24-27 "Servant Acknowledges God's Guidance")). The narrative also highlights **Faithful Stewardship and Obedience**, exemplified by the unnamed servant who diligently carries out his master's will, entrusted with significant resources and authority. Furthermore, the chapter emphasizes the **Importance of Lineage and Covenant Purity**, as Abraham's insistence on a bride from his own kin underscores the necessity of preserving the spiritual heritage and avoiding assimilation with pagan cultures, thereby safeguarding the line through which God's promises, ultimately culminating in the Messiah, would be fulfilled ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abraham")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **servant (Hebrew, _ʻebed'_):** (H5650) This term denotes one who is bound in service, a bondman, or a man-servant. In this context, it highlights the individual's complete devotion and subordination to his master, Abraham. The servant's identity is defined by his role, emphasizing his faithfulness and the trust placed in him, rather than his personal name.
* **goods (Hebrew, _ṭûwb'_):** (H2898) While often translated as "goods" or "possessions," this word carries a broader semantic range, derived from a root meaning "good." It encompasses not just material wealth but also welfare, prosperity, and blessings. Thus, "all the goods of his master" implies not merely physical assets but the entirety of Abraham's prosperity and well-being, entrusted to the servant's discretion for the success of the mission.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** (H3027) This primitive word signifies more than a physical appendage. It is frequently used metaphorically to denote power, authority, means, control, or agency. When the text states "all the goods of his master were in his hand," it powerfully conveys that the servant was fully empowered, authorized, and equipped with all necessary resources and discretion to execute Abraham's critical mission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed;"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the practical preparations for the journey. The "ten camels" are a significant detail, indicating a substantial caravan. Camels were the primary mode of long-distance transport in the ancient Near East, capable of carrying heavy loads and enduring arid conditions. This number suggests the servant was equipped to transport not only himself and his retinue but also significant provisions, valuable gifts for the prospective bride and her family, and to provide ample transport for Rebekah and her attendants on the return journey. This meticulous provisioning underscores Abraham's wealth and the immense importance he placed on this mission. The act of "departing" signifies the immediate and decisive commencement of the journey.
* **"for all the goods of his master [were] in his hand:"**: This explanatory clause reveals the extent of the servant's authority and the trust Abraham placed in him. The phrase "all the goods of his master" (Hebrew: *kol-tuv adonav*) signifies the entirety of Abraham's wealth and prosperity. The idiom "in his hand" (Hebrew: *b'yado*) denotes complete control, authority, and discretion. The servant was not merely a messenger but an empowered agent, fully backed by Abraham's resources and confidence. This highlights the servant's proven faithfulness and Abraham's deep trust in his stewardship, allowing him to act decisively in the master's best interest.
* **"and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor."**: This final clause specifies the destination of the servant's journey. "He arose" indicates a determined and purposeful action. "Mesopotamia" is the Greek translation of the Hebrew *Aram Naharaim*, meaning "Aram of the Two Rivers" (referring to the region between the Tigris and Euphrates). This was Abraham's ancestral homeland, a crucial detail because Abraham sought a bride for Isaac from his own kin, ensuring shared cultural, familial, and spiritual heritage and avoiding intermarriage with the pagan Canaanites. The "city of Nahor" refers to Haran, where Abraham's brother Nahor had settled after their family's departure from Ur of the Chaldees ([Genesis 11:31](/genesis/11-31 "Terah's Journey to Haran")). This precise destination demonstrates the servant's adherence to Abraham's specific instructions and his knowledge of the family's whereabouts, emphasizing the importance of family ties and shared heritage for the covenant line.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Genesis 24:10 employs several literary devices that enrich its meaning. **Metonymy** is present in the phrase "all the goods of his master were in his hand," where "hand" stands for the servant's authority, control, and entrusted power. This emphasizes the servant's agency and the immense trust placed in him. The detailed listing of "ten camels" and "all the goods" serves as **Exaggeration** or **Hyperbole** to underscore the magnitude and importance of the mission, highlighting Abraham's wealth and the seriousness of securing Isaac's bride. Furthermore, the entire journey, initiated by this verse, functions as **Foreshadowing**, subtly pointing towards a greater divine mission. The servant's diligent search for a bride for the son, dispatched by the father with all resources, prefigures the Holy Spirit's mission to gather the Church, the Bride of Christ, for the Son.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 24:10, as the launching point of a pivotal narrative, deeply embeds itself within the broader theological landscape of the Abrahamic covenant. It illustrates how divine providence often works through diligent human preparation and faithful stewardship. The servant's journey, meticulously planned and resourced by Abraham, becomes a conduit for God's sovereign will to manifest, demonstrating that God uses human effort and obedience to accomplish His eternal purposes, especially in fulfilling His promises concerning lineage and inheritance. The emphasis on Abraham's "goods" being "in his hand" speaks to the sacred trust placed in the servant, a model of faithful stewardship that resonates throughout biblical theology.

* [Psalm 37:23](/psalms/37-23 "The Steps of a Good Man") - The Lord directs the steps of the righteous, and delights in his way.
* [Matthew 25:21](/matthew/25-21 "Parable of the Talents") - His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
* [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3-4 "Warning Against Intermarriage") - Neither shalt thou make marriages with them... for they will turn away thy son from following me.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 24:10 offers profound lessons for believers today, particularly concerning our calling to serve God with diligence and faithful stewardship. Just as Abraham's servant prepared meticulously for a mission of immense spiritual and familial significance, we are similarly called to approach our tasks, especially those related to God's kingdom, with careful planning, resourcefulness, and unwavering dedication. The servant's journey, undertaken with all his master's "goods in his hand," reminds us that God often entrusts us with resources—whether time, talents, or material possessions—for the advancement of His purposes. This verse encourages us to view every significant step in our lives as a journey of faith, necessitating reliance on divine guidance and trusting in God's overarching providence, even when the path ahead seems long or uncertain. We are encouraged to seek God's direction at the outset of any major endeavor, knowing that He orchestrates events to fulfill His promises, much as He providentially brought [Rebekah to Isaac](/genesis/24-67 "Isaac and Rebekah's Union") to continue the covenant line. Our faithfulness in the "little things" prepares us for greater responsibilities in God's grand narrative.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "goods" or resources has God entrusted into your "hand" for His purposes, and how are you stewarding them faithfully?**
* **In what areas of your life are you being called to embark on a "journey" of faith, requiring diligent preparation and reliance on God's providence?**
* **How does the servant's commitment to his master's will inspire your own obedience and dedication to God's calling?**

### FAQ
**Who was the servant mentioned in Genesis 24:10?**

Answer: The servant is not explicitly named in [Genesis 24](/genesis/24 "Genesis Chapter 24"), which is a deliberate literary choice to emphasize his role as a faithful agent entirely devoted to his master's will and God's leading, rather than his personal identity. However, tradition often identifies him as Eliezer of Damascus, mentioned earlier as Abraham's chief steward and potential heir before Isaac's birth, in [Genesis 15:2](/genesis/15-2 "Eliezer of Damascus"). His anonymity in this crucial chapter allows the focus to remain on the divine orchestration of events and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

**Why did the servant take ten camels and "all the goods of his master"?**

Answer: The ten camels were a practical necessity for the long and arduous journey from Canaan to Mesopotamia (Aram Naharaim). Camels were crucial for transporting the servant's retinue, provisions, and, most importantly, the substantial gifts intended for Rebekah and her family, which were customary for securing a bride in that culture. Taking "all the goods of his master" signifies that Abraham granted his servant full authority and access to his considerable wealth for the mission. This demonstrates Abraham's immense trust in his faithful steward and ensured the servant had all necessary resources to succeed in securing a suitable bride for Isaac, reflecting both Abraham's prosperity and the critical importance of the mission.

**What is the significance of "Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor"?**

Answer: "Mesopotamia" is the Greek translation of the Hebrew *Aram Naharaim*, meaning "Aram of the Two Rivers," referring to the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This area was the ancestral homeland of Abraham's family. The "city of Nahor" was Haran, where Abraham's brother Nahor had settled after their family's departure from Ur of the Chaldees ([Genesis 11:31](/genesis/11-31 "Terah's Journey to Haran")). The destination was profoundly significant because Abraham desired a wife for Isaac from his own kindred. This was not merely a cultural preference but a divine imperative to ensure shared cultural and spiritual heritage, preventing intermarriage with the pagan Canaanites and thereby preserving the purity and integrity of the covenant line through which God's promises would be fulfilled.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 24:10 and the entire narrative of Abraham's servant seeking a bride for Isaac offer a rich and compelling **typology** that beautifully foreshadows Christ's redemptive work. Isaac, the beloved, promised son and heir, serves as a clear type of Christ, the Son of God, for whom a bride—the Church—must be found. The unnamed servant, faithfully dispatched by the father (Abraham), journeys to a distant land (the world) to secure this bride, acting as an intermediary and bringing her back to the son. This mission powerfully prefigures the work of the Holy Spirit, whom God the Father has sent from heaven to the world to call out and gather the Church—the Bride of Christ—from among all nations ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "The Holy Spirit, the Helper") and [John 16:7-14](/john/16-7-14 "The Work of the Holy Spirit")). Just as the servant presented Rebekah, adorned with gifts from the master, to Isaac, the Holy Spirit prepares and sanctifies the Church, equipping her with spiritual gifts and drawing her to Christ ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ and the Church")). Ultimately, the Holy Spirit unites the Church with her heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, in fulfillment of God's eternal covenant and the glorious hope of the marriage supper of the Lamb ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 11:31

And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.

Deuteronomy 23:4

Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

1 Chronicles 19:6

¶ And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.

Judges 3:8

¶ Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.

Judges 3:10

And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

Genesis 39:8

But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what [is] with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

Genesis 39:9

[There is] none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou [art] his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?